JP5875343B2 - Connection instrument, liquid supply mechanism, droplet discharge device, and liquid supply method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection device for supplying a liquid from a liquid reservoir to a head, a liquid supply mechanism, a droplet discharge device, and a liquid supply method.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for connecting an ink cartridge and a recording head with a supply tube.

JP 2004-90453 A (published on March 25, 2004)

  As described above, there is a conventional technique in which ink is supplied to the head by connecting the head and the sub tank with a flexible tube in the ink jet printing.

  By the way, in the case of an ink jet printing machine using a head unit in which a plurality of heads are combined, it is necessary to connect the plurality of heads and the sub tank with a tube. Problems arise. For example, when four heads and sub-tanks are coupled, the four tubes need to be coupled eight times in order to fit the four tubes into the respective members. The operation of connecting a flexible tube is very complicated because the position of the tip of the tube is difficult to determine. In addition, since it is necessary to combine a plurality of ink flow paths at close positions in accordance with the miniaturization of the member, the operation is made more difficult.

  In addition, a plurality of head units are often used in an inkjet printer that prints a large area such as a commercial signboard at high speed. When a plurality of head units are used in this way, the above problem becomes more prominent. For example, when using four head units in which four heads are combined, it is necessary to connect 16 tubes.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device in which a head and a liquid reservoir can be easily assembled and replaced.

Connection device according to the present invention are all stored in a carriage, a connecting device for connecting a head for discharging droplets, and a liquid reservoir for storing the liquid supplied to the head, back and A main body that is formed in a U shape by two planar regions facing each other and that stores the head so as to enclose the head, and includes a main flow path provided in the main body and an auxiliary flow path, and the main flow path One end of the auxiliary reservoir is a liquid reservoir connecting portion connected to the liquid reservoir, the other end is a first head connecting portion connected to the head, and one end of the auxiliary flow path is connected to the head. a second head connecting portion and the other end Ri opening der that is open to the atmosphere, the liquid reservoir connecting portion at a position corresponding to the connecting portion of the liquid reservoir, the first head connecting portion And the second head connecting portion is the above The open portion is fixed to one of the planar regions, and the connection portion of the liquid reservoir and the liquid reservoir connection portion, The connecting portion of the head, the first head connecting portion, and the second head connecting portion are fitted and connected without using a tube, and the connecting device is connected to the head and the liquid. The open part can be connected to other devices when connected to the reservoir .

When the head and the liquid reservoir are connected, it is only necessary to connect the head to the connecting device. Therefore, there is no problem that a lot of labor and time are required when the tube is used and the work is complicated. Therefore, the assembly and replacement of the head and the liquid reservoir are easy. Moreover, since another instrument etc. can be connected to the open part fixed without using a flexible tube etc., the operation | work of the connection of the said other instrument etc. can be performed more easily. Further, since the opening portions are arranged close to each other and concentrated, it is possible to more easily perform an operation of connecting another instrument or the like to the opening portion.

  In addition, by using the auxiliary flow path, the liquid in the head can be sucked up to fill the liquid from the liquid reservoir at high speed, or the liquid that tends to settle down is circulated. It has the further convenience that the handling of the liquid in the apparatus to discharge can be made easier.

  In the connection tool according to the present invention, it is more preferable to include a valve that opens and closes the opening.

  Even when other appliances or the like are connected to the opening portion and used, the presence / absence and degree of use can be controlled by opening the valve on the connection appliance side.

When the connection tool according to the present invention, as viewed from the connecting tool and connected to the lower the head, is a state in which the fluid is transported to the head from the liquid reservoir connected to the above the liquid reservoir, the More preferably, at least a part of the main channel is inclined.

  When bubbles are generated in the liquid in the main channel, the bubbles are easily removed.

  The liquid supply mechanism according to the present invention includes the connection device according to the present invention, and at least one of the head and the liquid reservoir.

  Moreover, in the liquid supply mechanism according to the present invention, it is more preferable that the liquid reservoir is provided, and the connecting device supports the liquid reservoir.

  Many liquid reservoirs require a support member, but the connecting device also serves as a member that supports the liquid reservoir, thereby contributing to downsizing of the entire liquid supply mechanism and a reduction in the number of parts.

  Further, a liquid droplet ejection apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by including the above-described liquid supply mechanism according to the present invention.

  The liquid supply method according to the present invention is a method for supplying liquid to the head using the connection device according to the present invention, wherein the head and the liquid reservoir are connected to the connection device. The gas in the head is sucked from the open portion.

  By sucking the gas in the head, the liquid in the liquid reservoir is sucked into the head, so that the liquid can be supplied into the head at a higher speed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily assemble and replace the head and the liquid reservoir.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the adapter 1 which is one Embodiment of the connection device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the head 200 and the sub tank 300 were connected to the adapter 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Configuration of adapter 1]
First, the structure of the adapter 1 which is one Embodiment of the connection device which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using FIG.1 and FIG.2.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the adapter 1. FIG. 1 (a) is a perspective view showing the front of the adapter 1 and FIG. 1 (b) shows the back of the adapter 1. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a state in which the head 200 and the sub tank (liquid reservoir) 300 are connected to the adapter 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter 1 includes a main body 10. As a constituent material of the adapter 1, for example, a resin and a metal are preferable, and a resin is more preferable. This is because a resin can be made light and inexpensive by being integrally molded.

  The adapter 1 is composed of a main body 10. The main body 10 is formed in a U shape by its back surface and two planar regions 11.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the adapter 1 has a head 200 mounted thereon. In FIG. 1B, the head 200 is indicated by a broken line. Since the adapter 1 stores the head 200 so as to be wrapped in the U-shaped main body 10, even when the head 200 is mounted, the adapter 1 is extremely space-saving.

  The main body 10 is provided with a main channel 20 and a sub channel (auxiliary channel) 30. A part of the main flow path 20 and the sub flow path is formed by combining a part constituted by a hole penetrating the main body and a part provided with a recess in the main body and attached with a film. By forming in this way, even if it is a complicated flow path, it can be manufactured at low cost with few parts and a simple configuration.

  The main channel 20 is a channel for connecting the head 200 and the sub tank 300 to guide the ink in the sub tank 300 into the head 200. One end of the main flow path 20 is a first head connection portion 22 connected to the head 200, and the other end is a sub tank connection portion (liquid reservoir connection portion) 21 connected to the sub tank 300. The ink (liquid) in the sub tank 300 enters the main flow path 20 from the sub tank connection portion 21, passes through the main flow path 20, and is supplied to the head 200 from the first head connection portion 22.

  Of the four sub-tank connection portions 21, the ink that has entered from the two sub-tank connection portions 21 shown in front of FIG. It passes along the path 20 and is guided to the same side as the first head connecting portion 22 shown in the back of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, the four first head connection portions 22 are all formed on the same side of the two opposing planar regions 11 in the main body 10. This is for improving maintainability. By disposing all the first head connection portions 22 on the same surface, a second head connection portion 32 described later can be disposed on the other surface. For example, when a suction pump is connected to the opening portion 31 and air is sucked from the second head connection portion 32 as will be described later, all the opening portions 31 and the second portions are connected in order for the operator to connect the tubes. The head connecting portion 32 can be easily accessed, and the path can be simplified even when a circulation path is constructed. The machine configuration can be simplified even when these functions are performed automatically.

  Further, a part of the main channel 20 passing through the back surface of the main body 10 is inclined as shown in FIG. That is, when viewed from the adapter 1, the head 200 is connected to the bottom, the sub tank 300 is connected to the top, and the ink in the sub tank 300 is transported into the head 200. There are parts that are not horizontal. In the case where the main flow path 20 extending from one side of the planar region 11 to the other is formed, the reason for inclining in this way is that even if bubbles are generated in the ink, the bubbles are likely to escape from the main flow path. If the main flow path 20 is provided horizontally, bubbles are difficult to escape from the main flow path 20.

  All of the first head connecting portion 22 and the sub tank connecting portion 21 are fixed to the main body 10. When connecting the head 200 and the sub tank 300 to the adapter 1, a connecting portion is provided in advance in the head 200 and the sub tank 300 at positions corresponding to the first head connecting portion 22 and the sub tank connecting portion 21. And the first head connecting portion 22 or the sub tank connecting portion 21 need only be fitted. Therefore, there is no problem that a lot of labor and time are required and the work is complicated, which is caused by connecting with a flexible tube as in the above-described prior art. Moreover, since a tube is not required, the number of parts can be reduced. Further, since there is no need for a space for attaching and detaching the tube and a space for handling the tube, the entire carriage storing the adapter 1, the head 200 and the sub tank 300 can be reduced in size.

  Further, the sub tank connecting portion 21 and the first head connecting portion 22 may be provided with packing made of an elastic body such as rubber. Ink leakage from the connection between the adapter 1 and the head 200 and the sub tank 300, air contamination, and the like can be prevented.

  The sub flow path 30 is a flow path for connecting another device or the like (not shown) and the head 200.

  One end of the sub-channel 30 is an open portion 31 that is open to the atmosphere, and the other end is a second head connection portion 32 that is connected to the head 200. The opening part 31 is used as, for example, a connection port for connecting to the other instrument.

  Specific examples of the other instruments include a suction pump. Thereby, the ink in the sub tank 300 can be easily supplied to the head 200. That is, first, the head 200 and the sub tank 300 are connected to the adapter 1, and the open portion 31 is connected to the suction pump. Next, the gas in the head 200 is sucked from the opening portion 31. As a result, the pressure in the head 200 becomes negative, and ink is sucked through the first head connecting portion 22. The air in the head 20 is sucked up in the direction of arrow E and guided to the suction pump. The pressure in the head 200 decreases, and the head 200 sucks ink from the sub tank 300. Therefore, the ink in the sub tank 300 can be supplied to the head 200 at a higher speed. This is an embodiment of the liquid supply method according to the present invention. It should be noted that a suction mechanism is provided in the main body of the ink jet printer (droplet discharge device) so that the ink can be connected to the open portion 31 so that ink in the head 200 is sucked by sucking the gas in the head 200. Supplying may be automated.

  The adapter 1 includes a valve for opening and closing the opening portion 31. Thereby, it is possible to perform control for sucking the gas in the head 200 not filled with ink using the suction pump through the opening portion 31. For example, when the head 200 is already filled with ink as in normal printing, the valve may be closed. Moreover, you may form the structure which opens a valve automatically in the insertion port to the opening part 31 of said other apparatuses, such as a suction pump, when it inserts.

  In addition, a specific example of the other instrument includes a circulation pump. For example, one end of the circulation pump is connected to the opening 31 and the other end is connected upstream of the ink flow path to start the circulation pump. Then, the ink in the head 200 can be circulated. For example, even ink that tends to settle, such as white ink and silver ink, can be prevented from sedimentation by circulation.

  Further, an ink tank or the like is also connected to the open portion 31 of the sub-channel 30, and ink is supplied to the head 200 not filled with ink at high speed using both or one of the main channel 20 and the sub-channel 30. It can also be filled.

  All of the opening portions 31 are fixed to the main body 10. More specifically, of the two planar regions 11 facing each other, all the open portions 31 are fixed to the planar region 11 on one side. Thereby, it is easy to connect the other appliances. For example, when the ink in the head 200 is extracted using the above-described suction pump, if the opening portions 31 are concentrated on one planar area, the planar area 11 is only exposed. The connection work of the suction pump can be easily performed.

[Configuration of Ink Supply Mechanism 100]
Next, the configuration of the ink supply mechanism (liquid supply mechanism) 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply mechanism 100 includes an adapter 1, a head 200, and a sub tank 300. The head 200 and the sub tank 300 are connected to the adapter 1.

  The adapter 1 also functions as a frame that supports the sub tank 300. Since the adapter 1 also serves as the frame member of the sub tank 300, the entire ink supply mechanism 100 can be reduced in size.

  An ink jet printer equipped with the ink supply mechanism 100 is an embodiment of a droplet discharge device according to the present invention.

[Additional Notes]
As described above, the adapter 1 is a connection tool for connecting the head 200 that ejects ink and the sub tank 300 that stores ink to be supplied to the head 200, and includes the main flow path 20, the sub flow path 30, and the like. One end of the main flow path 20 is a sub tank connection part 21 connected to the sub tank 300, the other end is a first head connection part 22 connected to the head 200, and one end of the sub flow path is connected to the head 200. The second head connection part 32 is connected, and the other end is an open part 31 open to the atmosphere.

  When the head 200 and the sub-tank 300 are connected, it is only necessary to connect the adapter 1 to the adapter 1, so that much trouble and time are required when using a tube, and there is no problem that the work is complicated. Therefore, assembly and replacement of the head 200 and the sub tank 300 are easy.

  In addition, by using the sub-channel 30, it is possible to suck the gas in the head 200 to increase the supply of ink from the sub-tank 300, or to circulate ink that tends to settle. It has the further convenience that the handling of the ink in the discharging apparatus can be made easier.

  More preferably, the adapter 1 includes a valve that opens and closes the opening 31.

  Even when another instrument is connected to the opening portion 31 and used, it is possible to control whether or not it is used by opening the valve on the adapter 1 side.

  In the adapter 1, the opening portion 31 is more preferably fixed to the main body 10 of the adapter 1.

  Since another instrument or the like can be connected to the open portion 31 fixed without using a flexible tube or the like, the operation of connecting the other instrument or the like can be performed more easily.

  In the adapter 1, it is more preferable that the main body 10 has two planar regions 11 that face each other, and the open portions 31 are all provided in one planar region 11.

  Since the opening portions 31 are arranged close to each other in a concentrated manner, it is possible to more easily perform an operation of connecting another instrument or the like to the opening portions 31.

  In the adapter 1, when the head 200 and the sub tank 300 are connected to the adapter 1 and the ink is transported from the sub tank 300 to the head 200, it is more preferable that a part of the main flow path 20 is inclined.

  When air bubbles are generated in the ink in the main flow path 20, the air bubbles are easily removed.

  The ink supply mechanism 100 includes the adapter 1 and at least one of the head 200 and the sub tank 300.

  In addition, it is more preferable that the ink supply mechanism 100 includes a sub tank 300 and the adapter 1 supports the sub tank 300.

  Many subtanks require a support member, but the adapter 1 also serves as a member that supports the subtank 300, thereby contributing to downsizing the entire ink supply mechanism 100 and reducing the number of components.

  In addition, an ink jet printer that is an embodiment of the droplet discharge device according to the present invention includes an ink supply mechanism 100.

  In addition, an embodiment of the liquid supply method according to the present invention is a method of supplying ink to the head 200 using the adapter 1, in which the head 200 and the sub tank 300 are connected to the adapter 1 from the opening portion 31. The gas in the head 200 is sucked.

  By sucking the gas in the head 200, the ink in the sub tank 300 is sucked into the head 200, so that the liquid can be supplied into the head 200 at a higher speed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used in the field of inkjet printing.

1 Adapter (connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body 11 Planar area | region 20 Main flow path 21 Sub tank connection part (liquid reservoir connection part)
22 1st head connection part 30 Sub flow path (auxiliary flow path)
31 Opening portion 32 Second head connecting portion 100 Ink supply mechanism (liquid supply mechanism)
200 head 300 sub tank (liquid reservoir)

Claims (6)

Both are connecting devices for connecting a head that discharges droplets stored in a carriage and a liquid reservoir that stores liquid to be supplied to the head,
A main body that is formed in a U shape by a back surface and two planar regions facing each other, and stores the head so as to wrap it;
Both include a main channel provided in the main body and an auxiliary channel,
One end of the main flow path is a liquid reservoir connecting portion connected to the liquid reservoir, and the other end is a first head connecting portion connected to the head,
One end of the auxiliary flow path is a second head connecting portion connected to the head, the other end Ri opening der that is open to the atmosphere,
The liquid reservoir connecting portion is fixed at a position corresponding to the connecting portion of the liquid reservoir, and the first head connecting portion and the second head connecting portion are fixed at positions corresponding to the connecting portion of the head. ,
The open part is fixed to one of the planar regions,
The connecting portion of the liquid reservoir and the connecting portion of the liquid reservoir are connected by fitting the connecting portion of the head, the first head connecting portion, and the second head connecting portion without using a tube, respectively. Is supposed to be
When the connection device is connected to the head and the liquid reservoir, the opening is connectable to another device.   The connection device according to claim 1, further comprising a valve that opens and closes the opening. When the head is connected to the bottom when viewed from the connecting device, the liquid reservoir is connected to the top and the liquid is transferred from the liquid reservoir to the head, at least a part of the main channel is inclined. connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is. A connecting instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the liquid reservoir.
The liquid supply mechanism, wherein the connecting device supports the liquid reservoir. A liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprising the liquid supply mechanism according to claim 4. It is a liquid supply method to the said head using the connecting device of any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising: In the state which connected the said head and the said liquid reservoir to the said connecting device, the said opening part WHEREIN: A liquid supply method comprising sucking a gas in a head.

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